Golf, polo and flying enthusiasts have tripled their efforts in
entertaining Moscow's savvy jet set crowd, with fans of the
dizzying new game – heli-golf – holding a high-flying tournament
in the Moscow region this weekend.

Invented by a helicopter company and golf and polo club, the game
was first played in 2013. This week, the heli-golf competition
was part of the Tseleevo Winter Open tournament, which was held
some 40 kilometers north of the Russian capital.

Playing in teams, participants do their best to whack a large,
one-meter diameter ball on the snow from a helicopter. All the
while, the chopper is flying just 4-5 meters above the ground.

The golf clubs used by the heli-golfers weigh ten kilograms and
are five meters long. They are made of a cane stick and a large
hitting base. The player has to navigate the ball as fast as
possible through a snowy obstacle course.

If that sounds hard, it is! One of many challenges competitors
have to face are the wind flows caused by the helicopter blades,
which constantly change the direction of the ball's movement.
Organizers say heli-golf is played in teams of three, where only
the combined efforts of the pilot, the strength of the golfer and
the precise directions of the navigator can help the players
clinch victory.

But playing a round of heli-golf will cost you a pretty penny,
with one flight for up to three people costing 18,000 rubles
(around $300).